Molly Macauley's research interests include space economics and policy, the economics of new technologies for research and understanding of the interactions between people and natural resources, the use of economic incentives in environmental regulation, climate and earth science, and recycling and solid waste management. She serves on numerous special committees of the National Academy of Sciences and federal agencies.

She also serves on the Board of Trustees of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, the Board of advisers for the Thomas Jefferson Program in Public Policy at the College of William and Mary, and the Women in Aerospace Scholarship Committee. Macauley has testified extensively before Congress and is the author of more than 80 articles, reports, and books.